Over 4500 people from Moldova attended the theatre performance about a young woman’s struggles with violence
Viewed by over 4500 spectators and presented in 16 localities from the Republic of Moldova, the theatre performance “Free” has concluded its national tour on the 8th of May, in Rezina city.Date:
The play, directed by de Ianoș Petrașcu and performed by the actors from M.A.D.E theatre, depicted the problem of violence against women and its consequences on the future generations. For six months, the actors and actresses involved have presented a play about stereotypes and prejudices that had set the intention to present a part of society’s problems and to create a dialogue with the public about the ways in which we can fight with the phenomenon of violence.
“The problems that we depict keep on existing for a long period of time”
“This type of play is perhaps new, but the problems that we depict keep on existing for a long period of time. That’s why I think that the spectators are ready to understand what we are presenting on stage,” says Veronica Șerbin, the leading actress.
The play presents the story of a young girl, survivor of domestic violence, who later on struggles with various types of discrimination and abuse during her lifetime.
“A person who has experienced violence needs empathy”
“A person who has experienced violence needs empathy. We ought to understand and help the person by addressing the issue with the city hall, social workers and to ask about her hard times,” says Axenia Taleche, spectator from Orhei.
After every play the spectators were invited to participate in the public discussions based on the topic of the play.
“Every member of the society can change things for the better”
“It is very important to me that after every show we leave the spectator with a profound thought and every person is trying to reflect on what’s happening in his/her surroundings. Every member of the society can change things for the better and the topic we are portraying on stage is not a hidden or trivial one. Thus, our decision to put on this play came from the necessity to speak about violence against women and to raise awareness on this specific issue,” said the director Ianoș Petrașcu.
Violence in the family and against women is one of the most serious human rights infringements. In Moldova domestic violence is considered a crime and is penalized according to the Penal Code. According to data, 6 in 10 women have suffered from at least one form of physical violence, psychological or sexual during their lifetime.
The performance “Free” was presented for the first time in Chișinău, on the December 3, 2018, and has ended its tour on the May 8, 2019, in Rezina city. The play was produced by M.A.D.E theatre (Movement, Art, Dance and Emotion) in partnership with the Public Association “Vesta”, UN Women Moldova, and is financed by Sweden.